ESTERO, FL – Levko Koper scored twice to lift the Florida Everblades to 5-3 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Saturday night at Germain Arena. The Everblades (2-0-0-0, 4 pts) took both games of the opening weekend.
Dalton Smith registered Florida’s first goal of the game when he muscled by a defender to position himself in front of the net. Smith stuffed the puck past Greenville goalie Jeff Malcolm for the tally to put the ‘Blades on top 1-0.
In the second period, Koper led a 3-on-1 rush into the zone. Koper eyed the trailer on the left wing then called his own number and roofed a shot high over Malcolm’s shoulder to give Florida a two-goal edge.
Less than a minute later, the ‘Blades extended their lead on the power play. Zack Kamrass delivered a shot from the point that was tipped and redirected into the net by John McCarron. Florida’s first power play goal of the season put the score at 3-0.
Greenville attempted to seize momentum in the game scoring two goals on back-to-back shots late in the second period. Tommy Thompson rushed into the zone and accepted a feed from Garrett Noonan on the front door. Thompson steered the puck past ‘Blades goaltender Daniel Altshuller to put the Rabbits on the board.
Moments Later, Angelo Miceli flexed a shot that ripped underneath the bar and into the net to pull Greenville within one after 40 minutes of play.
The Everblades wasted little time reclaiming the momentum early in the third period, as Koper secured his second goal of the game on nice feed from the win by McCarron to put Florida back on top by two.
Six minutes later, Michael Kirkpatrick slapped the puck from the slot that sharply hit off the body of Malcolm who made the initial save. However, the rebound clipped behind the outstretched netminder and slowly trickled across the goal line for the goal to give the ‘Blades a 5-2 advantage.
Greenville later added another goal by Bretton Cameron to pull within two, but it would not be enough as the Everblades finish off the Swamp Rabbits 5-3.
Daniel Altshuller earned the win allowing three goals on 22 shots faced, while Malcolm takes the loss allowing five goals on 31 shots. Forward John McCarron finished the game with three points (1g, 2a).
The Everblades will now get set for their first road test of the season next Saturday (Oct. 22) against the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center. Game time is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start time.
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